In November 2025, we mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Stefan Żeromski, who was not only an outstanding writer, but also an active independence activist and social reformer. Even before World War II, filmmakers often adapted his works to the screen, as it lent itself perfectly to building a patriotic narrative about the emerging Second Polish Republic. At the festival, we revisit several somewhat forgotten classic film adaptations of Żeromski’s works, directed by renowned filmmakers.

The Year 1863, dir. Edward Puchalski (Poland) 1922, 115’, 15+

During one of the battles of the January Uprising, Józef Odrowąż narrowly escapes death. Seriously wounded, he makes his way to a nearby village, where he is captured by hostile peasants. He is rescued and hidden in the manor house in Niezdoły by a peasant woman. There, he is cared for by Salomea Brynicka and her hard-of-hearing servant, Szczepan Podkurek. They hide the gravely injured insurgent through several searches by the occupying army. A bond gradually forms between the young pair.
“The Year 1863” film was the first screen adaptation of Stefan Żeromski’s novel “The Faithful River” in Polish cinema. At the festival, it will be presented in a digitally restored version featuring an original score by Michał Lorenc.

The screening will be preceded by a lecture held by Piotr Kotowski. The film in Polish.